Boruc apologises after defeat

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has apologised to Hoops fans who travelled "to the end of the world" to see their heroes throw away an interval lead and lose their Europa League Group C opener against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Georgios Samaras gave the visitors a 25th-minute advantage at Bloomfield stadium and Tony Mowbray's men looked comfortable as the second half unfolded. However, the visitors slowly wilted in the heat and humidity, allowing Nemanja Vucicevic to equalise in the 75th minute before substitute Maaran Lala grabbed the winner with a couple of minutes remaining.

"I feel sorry for the supporters," said Boruc. "They have travelled to the end of the world to support the team and watch the game. I do feel sorry for them because the performance was bad. The second half was really, really bad."

The Poland international, whose performance was one of the few plus points for Celtic, added: "I made some good saves, but it wasn't enough. Celtic shouldn't be beaten in Israel.

"But it's only the first game. There is a long way to go and we can still go through.

"There's a big chance for us and we'll see what happens in the next few games."

Rapid Vienna beat group favourites Hamburg 3-0 in their first tie of the campaign and the Austrians head to Glasgow in a fortnight, with Boruc targeting that game as a chance for the Hoops to get off the mark.

"Rapid beating Hamburg 3-0 was a surprise," he said. "But we play them at home in the next game and that's better for us. I think we'd need to win the three games at home and see if we can do anything in the two away matches."

Samaras is a doubt for Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hearts at Parkhead after gashing his leg when he lost his footing and slid in to the Hoops' technical area in an attempt to keep the ball in play.

The Greece international said: "Right now my priority is to find out how serious my injury is. I really don't know how bad it is but it is very sore. I've been told nothing is broken. But right now I'm in a lot of pain with both my shin and my ankle and until I am examined in Glasgow I can't say any more."

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